What to eat after you have your gallbladder out

In this article:

• Foods to avoid
• Foods to eat
• Other diet tips
• Long-term adjustments

In this article

• Foods to avoid
• Foods to eat
• Other diet tips
• Long-term adjustments

If you have persistent gallstones or gallbladder attacks, you could be a candidate for gallbladder removal surgery (aka cholecystectomy). This is one of the most common procedures in the United States, with more than 1.2 million people undergoing gallbladder surgery each year.

Most surgeries come with a list of post-op do’s and don’ts. Still, it’s especially important to follow the recommended dietary guidelines after gallbladder surgery because of the gallbladder’s role in the digestive system. Immediately after surgery, clear liquids are recommended. You can then graduate to small meals consisting of low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and lean proteins.

4 foods to avoid after gallbladder removal

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive surgery. Prepare to follow a liquid diet immediately after surgery and transition to a low-fat, balanced diet long-term, says Dana Sloane, MD, a gastroenterologist who practices at MedStar Health in Baltimore, Maryland.

1. Solid foods

“The initial diet after gallbladder surgery is usually clear liquids, such as broth,” Dr. Sloane says. Typically, patients follow a clear liquid diet followed by a full liquid diet and soft foods diet before transitioning to a regular diet, research shows. This is recommended to reduce side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can occur following surgery.

While you should avoid solid foods immediately upon waking up from surgery, this period doesn’t last long. “A clear liquid diet is typically quickly advanced to a low-fat diet,” Dr. Sloane says. Soft, solid foods are gradually introduced after the first 24 hours or several days.

2. High-fat foods

The most important foods to avoid when recovering from gallbladder surgery are those high in dietary fats (aka lipids). This is because of the gallbladder’s role in the digestive system and how its removal affects fat digestion.

“The gallbladder’s primary role is to store bile, the digestive fluid produced by the liver, which is released into the small intestine,” Dr. Sloane explains. “Bile acids help the body digest fats, so the primary change after gallbladder surgery is the reduced ability to digest dietary lipids.”

The main fats to avoid include saturated and trans fats. “These fats are more difficult to break down than unsaturated fats (aka healthy fats),” explains Jenna Volpe, RDN, a registered dietitian in Austin, Texas. “However, all high-fat foods should be avoided or minimized initially.”

Examples of fatty foods include:

• Fried foods like chips and fast food
• Red meat
• Dairy products like ice cream, butter, whole milk, and full-fat cheese
• Oils and lard
• High-fat condiments like creamy sauces and salad dressings
• Baked goods like cookies and pastries

This includes healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and seeds. Eating high-fat foods immediately after gallbladder removal surgery can worsen some side effects, such as abdominal pain or loose stools, Dr. Sloane says. Though not everyone will experience an intolerance to fatty foods, avoidance of high-fat meals is recommended for people who develop post-cholecystectomy syndrome (or PCS). “This occurs in up to 40% of patients and is characterized by nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, bloating, or diarrhea,” Dr. Sloane explains.

3. High-cholesterol foods

High-fat foods should be avoided postoperatively, but foods high in cholesterol may be worth minimizing, too. “One study suggested that diets that are high in fat and cholesterol may drive intestinal inflammation by disrupting the gut microbiome,” Dr. Sloane explains. Researchers found that high-cholesterol foods can also increase the risk of PCS.

High-cholesterol foods include:

• Fatty and processed meats like sausage and bacon
• Baked goods
• Some oils
• Fried foods
• Fast food
• Foods that contain trans fats

4. Spicy foods

Gallbladder removal patients are generally instructed to avoid spicy foods because they may be associated with gallstones, according to research. The compound found in spicy food, capsaicin, is also known to cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, research suggests.

4 foods to eat after gallbladder removal

A low-fat diet is generally recommended after gallbladder removal, along with eating small meals and focusing on nutrient-dense foods. Here are some to include.

1. Minimally processed, low-fat foods

“Low-fat, whole or minimally processed nutrient-dense foods are generally liberalized and encouraged immediately after gallbladder surgery because they don’t require bile acids to be fully broken down and digested,” Volpe explains. She recommends the following low-fat foods to make up the bulk of your post-op meals:

• Fruit and vegetables
• Whole grains like brown rice
• Legumes like beans and lentils
• Lean proteins like chicken breast and egg whites

2. Soft foods

Soft foods are easier to digest, especially following surgery. This is also often incorporated with a bland diet, which includes soft, low-fiber, cooked, and non-spicy foods, per the National Library of Medicine.

Soft foods include:

• Bananas
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Hot cereals
• Tofu
• Soup
• Cooked vegetables

3. Lean proteins

Protein is an essential nutrient, so it’s important to get plenty of it after surgery. Protein can even help with the wound healing process, research shows.

Volpe recommends focusing on lean protein, which can include both plant and animal sources. Lean meats can include chicken breast, turkey, fish, and egg whites, she says. Plant-based protein sources can include soy, whole grains, and legumes.

You can even consume protein during the liquid phase of your post-op diet. Meat and bone broths are high in protein. As you transition to soft foods, you can gradually incorporate nonfat or low-fat dairy products like yogurt, which are high in protein.

4. High-fiber foods

The National Library of Medicine recommends a high-fiber diet post-op. Fiber isn’t found in animal products, but it’s abundant in plant-based foods like fresh produce, grains, hot and cold cereals, and legumes. It’s an essential nutrient that prevents constipation, though it’s also associated with a reduced risk of chronic disease.

However, the reintroduction of high-fiber foods should happen slowly. It’s not a good idea to load up on fiber-rich foods immediately after surgery because this can have unpleasant side effects. Too much fiber can cause bloating, cramping, and have a laxative effect on some people, for example. So, slowly add fiber back into your diet.

Other diet tips for gallbladder removal

• Eat smaller meals. “Portion sizes do matter, and large meals may be difficult to tolerate immediately after surgery,” Dr. Sloane says.
• Avoid caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant, so avoiding it may reduce diarrhea and loose stools, Volpe explains.
• Avoid alcohol. You may have a sensitivity to alcohol immediately after surgery, Dr. Sloane says.
• Speak with your healthcare provider. If you develop any new symptoms, follow up with your surgeon, Dr. Sloane says. Your surgeon is the best person to ask for individualized medical advice.
• Reintroduce foods slowly. To see how you tolerate certain foods, add them back into your diet one at a time, Dr. Sloane suggests.

Long-term dietary adjustments

There aren’t any official dietary guidelines to follow after you’ve had your gallbladder removed, but it’s generally recommended to continue following a balanced diet long after your recovery.

“Many patients who have had gallbladder surgery will go on to tolerate normal diets without difficulty,” Dr. Sloane says. “Other patients may have long-standing sensitivity to fatty meals, especially those who develop diarrhea or PCS.”

An important long-term consideration is the reintroduction of healthy fats. “Low-fat” doesn’t mean “no amount of fat,” Volpe says. Even if you don’t have a gallbladder, you should still incorporate healthy fats into smaller meals, she explains.

In case you’re wondering—yes, you can still have treats after gallbladder removal. “Treats such as pizza and sweets are still completely possible, especially if consumed in moderation,” Dr. Sloane says.